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submitted 2 weeks ago by A_norny_mousse@piefed.zip to c/diy@lemmy.ml

I was gifted this ~2010 Toshiba Portégé. Surprisingly small and thin for its age. I was hoping to revive it, but it has only 1GB of memory ootb.

Apparently it can be upgraded up to 5GB with one spare slot that currently sits empty.

I found 2 physically compatible identical 2GB modules but no matter which one I plug in, when I start the computer it just starts the fan on highest setting and nothing else happens.

Before I go into any more detail, I found this info online:

The Toshiba Portege R600 Laptop takes the PC2-6400 DDR2-800 200pin SDRAM SODIMM memory type

My sticks look like this:

Are they compatible to PC2-6400 DDR2-800 200pin SDRAM SODIMM? I honestly can't tell.


I read the manual which says the modules need to be "Toshiba approved" but it does not say which/what Toshiba approves.

Plus this, which I did follow (note the negative):

Do not try to install or remove a memory module under the following conditions.

a. The computer is turned on.
b. The computer was shut down in either Sleep or Hibernation Mode.
c. Wake-up on LAN is enabled.
d. Wake-up on Wireless LAN is enabled.
e. The wireless communication switch is turned on.

And this does not happen:

If you install a memory module that is not compatible with the computer, the Power indicator will flash (on for 0.5 seconds, off for 0.5 seconds) in the following way;
■ If there is an error: repeatedly flashes orange twice, then white or green once

The power indicator stays white all the time and does not blink.


TIA

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[-] AgentStarling@lemmy.ml 1 points 2 weeks ago

I suppose it could be bad RAM modules, dirty contacts, dodgy slot. Can you boot it with a Memtest USB stick (empty or filled slot)? (If you find yourself in London look me up, this is exactly the sort of thing I'd get obsessed with fixing)

[-] A_norny_mousse@piefed.zip 1 points 2 weeks ago

Thanks, but I'm in Finland.
I'll have to fire up another machine for the memtest.
Will report back evtl.

this post was submitted on 25 Aug 2026
4 points (100.0% liked)

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